Delhi Metro set to introduce freight services on its trains

DMRC has signed an MoU with logistics company Blue Dart to ensure faster movement of time-sensitive shipments

Published on: Mar 17, 2025, 05:44:01 IST

By Jasjeev Gandhiok

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday announced that it is introducing urban freight (cargo) services on its network, with packages to be transported across Delhi-NCR via its trains during non-peak hours.

The corporation will use the last coaches of the first few trains of the day to deliver freight, thus reducing any impact on passengers. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Officials aware of the matter said DMRC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with logistics company Blue Dart to ensure faster movement of time-sensitive shipments, and said that the corporation will use the last coaches of the first few trains of the day, thus reducing any impact on passengers. They said they have taken inspiration from the Madrid metro, where a similar pilot project to transport cargo is being undertaken.

Services on the Delhi Metro network start at around 6 am on most lines.

“This innovative initiative, the first-of-its-kind in the entire South Asia Pacific region, reinforces both DMRC and Blue Dart’s commitment to environmental stewardship and fostering more sustainable logistics solutions,” said Anuj Dayal, principal executive director, corporate communications at DMRC.

The freight service will also help reduce on-road congestion, the officials said.

“This innovative solution reduces dependency on road transport, thereby easing congestion and curbing vehicular emissions. At the same time, DMRC will optimise its resources while reinforcing its commitment to environmentally friendly transport solutions,” Dayal said.

The Madrid metro began a pilot project in October 2024 to deliver parcels using its network, and uses a dedicated train to transport packages between 7 and 8 pm. DMRC said it is studying the Madrid project but will use a hybrid model — one in which passengers and freight move on the same train, instead of using a dedicated train just for cargo.

“DMRC is actively engaging with Madrid Metro to exchange insights and best practices in urban freight transportation,” Dayal said, adding that initial trials have been held on the Blue Line. “This will be taken up gradually on different lines and subsequently full-fledged movement will start in a phased manner,” he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jasjeev Gandhiok
Jasjeev Gandhiok is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times, where he covers environment, climate change, the clean energy transition and wildlife at the National Bureau. Gandhiok has over a decade of experience in journalism and is based in Delhi. He has reported extensively on Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This includes the region's air pollution woes, a polluted Yamuna and on urban wildlife still thriving in the region. He joined HT in October 2021. Prior to that, he had five-year stint at The Times of India in Delhi, where he also covered Delhi, with a focus on environment and wildlife. Gandhiok has covered some recent events around the Capital too, ranging from the farmers' protests, the northeast Delhi riots and the CAA-NRC protests, reporting from the ground on all of these. He also travels across the country to report on how environment and climate change impact everyday life, while also writing on endangered species. His reports in 2019 on toxic leachate from Delhi's landfills led to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking suo motu cognisance and ultimately asking the state government to start bio-mining to flatten and remove all three landfills in the capital. He also closely tracks the implementation of government policies on climate, renewable energy and environmental protection. His focus remains on impactful, public-interest journalism which explains how environmental decisions affect people's everyday lives.Read More

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